3.A perusal of the order passed by the Hon'ble Division Bench in W.P.(MD)No.6877, dated 28.03.2018, shows that the Tahsildar, Musiri Taluk, was directed to cause an inspection of the water body in question, within fortnight from the date of receipt of a copy of the order and if any encroachment is found, the Tahsildar and other respondents were directed to take action in accordance with law after giving notice to all concerned and remove the encroachments preferably within two months time. Since the impugned notice has been issued by the Tahsildar on the basis of the order dated 28.03.2018 passed by the Hon'ble Division bench in the aforementioned Writ Petition, the ground taken by the petitioner assailing the impugned order that the Executive Officer of the Selection Grade Panchayat, Musiri, has no jurisdiction to invoke the Land Encroachment Act, 1905 or Tamil Nadu Municipalities Act, 1920, cannot be accepted by us. In reply, Mr.V.R.Shanmuganathan, drawing the notice of this Court to Section 2(l) of the Tamil Nadu Protection of Tanks and Eviction of Encroachment Act, 2007, submitted that as per Section 2(l) of the Act, 'tank' means a storage structure built in for harnessing water for use and includes supply channel and its cross masonries, tank sluice, surplus weir, surplus course and its cross masonries, field channel and its cross masonries besides the drains and tank poramboke lands which are under the control and management of Public Works Department. Therefore, the Executive Officer of the Selection Grade Panchayat, Musiri, Trichy District, who also belongs to Public Works Department, is having all authority to remove the encroachment put up on the tank side poramboke lands. Being satisfied with the steps taken by the first respondent dispelling the contention made by the petitioner that the first respondent has no jurisdiction, this Writ Petition fails and accordingly, the same is dismissed. No costs. Consequently, the connected Writ Miscellaneous Petitions are closed.
